100 Favorite Dishes: Korean Fried Duck Wings at Chow Urban Grill

No. 68: Korean Fried Duck Wings at Chow Urban Grill Everyone knows about the fried chicken in the red-and-white bucket, and seekers of international tastes have discovered the other KFC — Korean fried chicken — at a couple of eateries in Aurora. But what about KFD: Korean fried duck? There's...

By Mark Antonation

August 22, 2016

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No. 68: Korean Fried Duck Wings at Chow Urban Grill
Everyone knows about the fried chicken in the red-and-white bucket, and seekers of international tastes have discovered the other KFC — Korean fried chicken — at a couple of eateries in Aurora. But what about KFD: Korean fried duck? There's no reason to exclude waterfowl from the deep-fried fun, as Colfax Avenue newcomer Chow Urban Grill proves with its zingy, saucy take on Korean bar food.

Chow starts out with the meaty portion of the duck wing and slow-cooks it until it's juicy and tender, then dunks it in batter and fries it up crisp. After that the wings are doused in Korean-style hot sauce and topped with a mound of pickled apple — a worthy stand-in for the daikon radish that generally accompanies the Korean original. The sauce packs a little heat tempered with a touch of sweetness, but the rich flavor of the duck still comes through.

Chow's kitchen isn't afraid to have fun with fowl; the duck wings take the place of a Memphis fried-quail appetizer that graced the opening menu. The restaurant's swank interior matches the eclectic, upscale menu, bringing a new level of sophistication to this stretch of East Colfax Avenue while remaining casual and fun.

Hungry for more? All the dishes in our 2016 countdown are linked below.

No. 100: Masala Beef at Biju's Little Curry Shop
No. 99: Bacon Shrimp and Grits at Bacon Social House
No. 98: Porchetta and Kimchi Sandwich at Brider
No. 97: Squab-and-Sunchoke Tortellini at Abejas
No. 96: Housemade Burrata at Viand
No, 95: Schweinshaxe at Rhein Haus
No. 94 Kimchi Jeon at Seoul BBQ
No. 93: Zuppa Pomodoro at Parisi Italian Market & Deli
No. 92: The Ocean Salad at Sushi-Rama
No. 91: The Signature Bowl from Churn & Burn
No. 90: Green Chorizo at Los Compadres
No. 89: The Diavola Calzone at Pino's Neighborhood Pizzeria
No. 88: Biscuits and Green Chile at the Noshery
No. 87: Chirashi at Izu Sushi
No. 86: Brisket and Ribs at GQue Championship BBQ
No. 85: The Tornado at the Chowder Room
No. 84: Korean Fried Chicken Wings at Yong Gung
No. 83: A Meatball Hero at Lil' Ricci's New York Pizzeria
No. 82: Shakshuka at Stowaway Coffee + Kitchen
No. 81: Late-Night Ramen at Brazen
No. 80: Potato Tacos at El Tejado
No. 79: Corned Beef Heart at theWay Back
No. 78: The Fried Bologna Sandwich at Snarfburger
No. 77: Sweet Corn Mezzaluna at Bar Dough
No. 76: Duck Confit at Table 6
No. 75: Croque Monsieur at Fire
No. 74: Tahini Cookies at the Preservery
No. 73: The Alferd Packer Salad at MAD Greens
No. 72: The Tuna Poke Bowl at Ohana Island Kitchen
No. 71: Mini Chile Rellenos at La Loma
No 70: The Combination Banh Mi at Vinh Xuong Bakery
No 69: The Falafel Waffle at Moxie Eatery

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Mark Antonation is the former Westword Food & Drink Editor. In 2018, he was named Outstanding Media Professional by the Colorado Restaurant Association; he's now with the Colorado Restaurant Foundation.

Contact: Mark Antonation

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